Normally engaged turbine clutch

Abstract

A torque converter includes a housing, a turbine shell, and a spring. The housing includes an impeller shell and a cover. The turbine shell includes a clutch portion. The spring is disposed axially between the cover and the turbine shell, and is arranged for urging the turbine clutch portion into driving engagement with the impeller shell. In an example embodiment, the spring is a diaphragm spring. In an example embodiment, the turbine shell is arranged for sealing to and driving engagement with a transmission input shaft. In some example embodiments, the torque converter includes a bearing disposed axially between the cover and the turbine shell, and arranged for rotationally disconnecting the spring from the cover. In an example embodiment, the bearing is a ball bearing or a needle roller bearing.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. A torque converter comprising:
 a housing comprising an impeller shell and a cover; 
 a turbine shell including a clutch portion; 
 a spring:
 disposed axially between the cover and the turbine shell; and, 
 arranged for urging the clutch portion into driving engagement with the impeller shell; 
 
 a drive ring fixed to the turbine shell; and, 
 a damper drivingly engaged with the turbine shell and arranged for driving connection to a transmission input shaft, wherein:
 the damper comprises a damper plate; and, 
 the drive ring includes an axial protrusion extending through the damper plate. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The torque converter of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is a diaphragm spring. 
     
     
       3. The torque converter of  claim 1 , wherein the turbine shell is arranged for sealing to and driving engagement with the transmission input shaft. 
     
     
       4. The torque converter of  claim 1  further comprising a bearing:
 disposed axially between the cover and the turbine shell; and, 
 arranged for rotationally disconnecting the spring from the cover. 
 
     
     
       5. The torque converter of  claim 4  wherein the bearing is a ball bearing or a needle roller bearing. 
     
     
       6. The torque converter of  claim 1  wherein the drive ring is drivingly engaged with the spring or an output hub. 
     
     
       7. The torque converter of  claim 1  wherein the spring is arranged for urging the drive ring towards the impeller shell. 
     
     
       8. The torque converter of  claim 1  wherein the damper plate includes a slot and the drive ring axial protrusion is at least partially rotationally displaceable within the damper plate slot. 
     
     
       9. The torque converter of  claim 1  further comprising respective pluralities of blades fixed to the impeller shell and the turbine shell. 
     
     
       10. The torque converter of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a thrust plate fixed to the impeller shell; 
 a first clutch plate drivingly engaged with the turbine shell; and, 
 a second clutch plate drivingly engaged with the thrust plate. 
 
     
     
       11. A torque converter comprising:
 an impeller fixed to a cover housing; 
 a turbine shell arranged for driving engagement with a transmission input shaft and including a clutch portion; 
 a first resilient element compressed between the cover housing and the turbine shell and arranged for urging the clutch portion into driving engagement with the impeller; 
 a damper drivingly engaged with the turbine shell and including a damper plate; and, 
 a drive ring fixed to the turbine shell and having an axial protrusion extending through the damper plate. 
 
     
     
       12. The torque converter of  claim 11  wherein the turbine shell is arranged for sealing to the transmission input shaft. 
     
     
       13. The torque converter of  claim 11  further comprising a bearing or bushing for rotationally disconnecting the resilient element from the cover housing or the turbine shell. 
     
     
       14. The torque converter of  claim 11  wherein the damper further includes:
 a drive tab fixed to the turbine shell; 
 a spring retainer arranged for driving engagement with the transmission input shaft; and, 
 a second resilient element for transmitting torque between the drive tab and the spring retainer. 
 
     
     
       15. The torque converter of  claim 14  wherein the first resilient element is disposed axially between the cover housing and the turbine shell and the second resilient element is disposed radially outside of the first resilient element.